Education

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Superchick wrote:
Shocking comments. Y would anyone wanna slap a child. Reasoning does work with children if you yourself hav the patience.

I agree. Forgetting this particular event, the comments are horrible and seem to support not just slapping children but worse violence towards them! Well, it's no wonder that how some children behave might seem to be not so respectful if this is the kind of influence they have! It's as if people don't understand that screaming, shouting and hitting don't go nearly as far as listening."

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Teacher accused of slapping pupil at Mountbatten School in Romsey

AN investigation has been launched into an alleged assault by a teacher on a pupil at a Hampshire school.

The family of an 11-year-old boy made the complaint after an incident where the student alleges he was struck in the face.

Hampshire Police confirmed they investigated the incident at the Mountbatten School in Romsey but are taking no further action after interviewing both the teacher, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and the pupil.

Now the school is assembling a governors’ panel to review the complaint, which could lead to dismissal.

Head teacher Heather McIlroy has reassured parents that pupil safety is “paramount” at the school, which gained academy status in April 2011.

She said: “When we were informed of the complaint we immediately put the systems that the local authority recommends into place. We contacted the local authority designated officer who we are supposed to contact when there has been any possible compromise of a child’s safety or well being.

“We asked the local authority for advice and sent the teacher home while the investigation was ongoing.

I was unable to do anything until the external police investigation came to an end but now it has we are beginning internal procedures.

“A governors’ disciplinary committee will be formed which will look at the allegation and the circumstances and they will make a decision about the member of staff.

“The teacher is not suspended but they have received a formal letter asking them to stay at home pending the outcome of the investigation.”

She added: “In all my years of being a head teacher this is the first time I have experienced such an incident and when something unique happens it is always a surprise. But our parents know the school well enough to know that every child’s welfare is extremely important to us and their health and well-being is paramount.”

It is understood the pupil has not returned to school since the incident last Thursday morning.

His family have been approached by the Daily Echo but have declined to comment while the investigation is ongoing.

Meanwhile county council education boss Cllr Peter Edgar supported the school’s actions in conducting an investigation.

He said: “I’m sure all Hampshire schools take any incident like this very seriously.”